Monday, April 30, 2012

2012 NBA Playoffs Thoughts #1

I am not surprised by how the Chicago Bulls have played the Philadelphia Sixers. They blew them out of their building. However, Derrick Rose is again sidelined with a torn ACL. This is a huge blow for Chicago's NBA title hopes. If Chicago must win a title without Rose, they can, they must rely on their depth of their bench more than ever. C.J. Watson and John Lucas, as well as Mike James will learn how to score points and run transition for the Bulls as the point guards of the team. If I were Tom Thibodeau, I would give the ball more to Luol Deng when the game is on the line. I like Deng's ability to get to the rim and make a layup. I like how the Miami Heat handled the New York Knicks. Lebron James did not let up and played his best game possible. James had 32 points. I am also not surprised by the Orlando Magic series opener against the Indiana Pacers. The Magic won and they were victorious, because even though they did not have Dwight Howard, they are still a dangerous three-point shooting team. After the Magic won, they talked trash, smug and glad. To tell you the truth seriously, the Celtics are a title contender, but inside their minds, I think Boston is falling apart. Rajon Rondo lost his cool and was upset about a foul call and complained to the ref. After much frustration, Rondo was ejected because he bumped into the referee. I am impressed by Kevin Durant's late-game heroics. His foul-line jumper with 1.5 seconds helped OKC win against the Dallas Mavericks by one point. The L.A. Lakers dominated in their series against the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets stated that they wanted to run an up-tempo game against the mid-tempo game the Lakers like to play. However, they ran into Andrew Bynum and his ten blocked shots. My pick to win between the Memphis Grizzlies and the L.A. Clippers are the Clips. I believe the Clips have the personnel and the players to win a playoff series. The Memphis Grizzlies don't look so hot, because they can play well if they want to, but they don't do it consistently. The Clippers have the talent to win, because of point guard Chris Paul. I am not surprised by the Clippers' comeback victory in Game 1. They came back from 27 points down to win. The Utah Jazz are no match for the San Antonio Spurs' whose driven purpose is to win the 2012 NBA title. I like the Spurs' chances of winning the NBA title this year. They are deep and they have a great lineup mixing of youth and experience. 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Phil Jackson coaching Knicks next season?

On Hoopshype.com, I read that the New York Knicks may be offering former Lakers coach Phil Jackson a 4-year 50 million dollar contract. That's insane. Here's the link: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm

Monday, April 23, 2012

Experience is Best Teacher of All

Watch out, feared NBA playoff teams! Beware of more experienced NBA teams, especially the San Antonio Spurs. I think the Spurs are more equipped this year and have a deep roster to challenge any NBA team this playoffs. They could beat up my favorite team of all time, the Chicago Bulls. Both the Bulls and the Spurs have well-balanced rosters, however the Spurs are more experienced than Chicago is. I believe San Antonio has the tools this playoff season to overcome any obstacles through and through. San Antonio has their Big Three to run their offense through. They run the ball through Tony Parker's speed and penetration, Manu Ginobli's competitive fire and slashing to the basket, and Tim Duncan's steady 20-and-10 a night. Though Duncan has decreased in performance and age, he may be producing 12-and-10 now. They have young starters in shooting guard Danny Green and small forward Kahwi Leonard. They are able to produce points and play perimeter defense if needed to be. They have a reliable backup in Gary Neal, who can shoot three pointers. Stephen Jackson, Patty Mills, and Boris Diaw are relied on for their veteran leadership, whose abilities will be able to score points and play some outstanding defense, which I know they are capable of doing. DeJuan Blair, Matt Bonner, and Tiago Splitter will spend time sharing minutes at center and also spelling Tim Duncan at times. This is a deep and experienced Spurs roster. Gregg Popovich is still at the helm of this San Antonio squad. I expect Gregg Popovich to offer words of wisdom when his squad is in trouble of losing basketball games. He knows how to coach a winning team and I know a winning basketball squad when I see one.

Ron Artest's Antics Again

Metta World Peace or Ron Artest? You decide what to call him. No matter what he does, like the inadvertent elbow to James Harden during the L.A. Lakers' double overtime win against Oklahoma City, he'll always create havoc. He claims that his elbow to James Harden's side of his face was an accident. That we'll believe. What do I believe about Ron Artest? He's still the same guy who charged into the Detroit stands in the brawl of 2008. I believe the NBA will punish Ron Artest, because of who he is, not because of what he's done.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Bulls vs. Heat Summary

Last night's game of Chicago vs. Miami in Miami was a stunner for the Bulls. Not only did the Bulls lose, but they are a game ahead of the Miami Heat for the number one seed and home court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs. What becomes of it? This is a boost for Miami's confidence. This loss shouldn't shock the Bulls, because the only number one seed to clinch home court advantage throughout the playoffs and won the NBA Title were the Boston Celtics in 2008. So if I were Chicago, I wouldn't worry so much about clinching home court throughout the playoffs. No Derrick Rose for Chicago, there was no problem. However, Chicago lacked scoring production and a competitive rebounding edge. John Lucas, the Bulls' third string backup point guard had 16 points and was the only shining Bull in the game. The Heat won by a score of 83-72.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Bulls vs. Heat

Tonight's game is on TNT. The Chicago Bulls play in Miami against the Miami Heat. Exciting game! If the Bulls win, they clinch home court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs. If Miami wins, they're one game closer to clinching home court advantage and the number one seed. Stay tuned!!!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Who Do I Think Will Win the 2012 NBA Title?

I think it will be tough, but I think the San Antonio Spurs will get it. I really thought about it for a long time, but I actually did think the Chicago Bulls were going to win it all. Eventually, that's what I thought. Derrick Rose is a fabulous basketball player, but there's something missing from this current Bulls squad that he's playing on. The coveted basketball player the Bulls wanted to accompany Rose in the backcourt at shooting guard may or may not be Richard Hamilton. If anything, Chicago should have tried to acquire a big man like Pau Gasol from the Lakers at the trade deadline in February. I like the way the Bulls have played as of late, but they have lost three of four games recently. Teams like the Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder have great talent, but they are short on experience. I think a playoff-tested and more experienced team like the veteran San Antonio Spurs with Gregg Popovich coaching will probably take the NBA crown this year. The Spurs' Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker drive the Spurs to victories in their backcourt while Tim Duncan anchors the frontcourt.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

San Antonio Spurs NBA Finals Preview

Gregg Popovich's Spurs are quietly at the top of the NBA standings, because of Popovich's veteran playoff experiences. They might not have the most talented basketball team or have a squad lacking size and defense. Popovich makes up for it with his tandem of Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter who are not premier defenders, but they are tall enough to defend the hoop when their contributions on the defensive end count. The Spurs' offense is good enough that they can rely on Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker and have a supporting cast and role players who have a good game on playing in the Spurs offense. Gary Neal and Matt Bonner can be relied on for their three-point shooting touch. Danny Green has played well for a third-and-fourth year player and can contribute to all areas of the Spurs' offense and defense. DeJuan Blair makes a good, reliable plodding center. Newly acquired players like Stephen Jackson, Patty Mills, and Boris Diaw will find their ways in the Spurs offense and then learn some defense as members on San Antonio's defensive end. The Spurs may not have the stars to accommodate the fans' appreciation of the game, and that is fine with Popovich. San Antonio wins basketball games, because Popovich wants his players to play the right way.

Great Games to Watch Tonight

On ESPN at 7 PM Eastern time, watch for the Boston Celtics vs. the Miami Heat in Miami. It should be a great game. The Heat are catching the Chicago Bulls for the number one seed. They are two games back. At 9:30 Eastern time, the New York Knicks are coming to Chicago to play the Bulls. Don't go away, folks, there's plenty of playoff-intense basketball to be played here before the night's over.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Philadelphia Sixers Playoff Preview

Doug Collins has his Sixers squad rolling and going. They're a team built on character development under Collins' tutelage. With a Philly team that is led by solid floor leader and point guard in Jrue Holiday and rookie Evan Turner at 2-guard and has Elton Brand at power forward and Andre Iguodala, there is little the Philadelphia Sixers can do wrong because of Doug Collins. Collins' coaching lets Iguodala, Brand, and Holiday run the floor and command the presence of the opposing teams. When you have Louis Williams and Thaddeus Young off the bench to contribute to your offense, you have a potent bench that is ready to contribute anytime. This is a team that gives my favorite NBA basketball team, the Chicago Bulls fits. I can't concede the fact that the Sixers are the better team, but they play like the better team. Their overall play and character development progress is high than any other basketball team I've witnessed.